Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. Ephesians 5:1-2
MISSION STATEMENT: We are a Christ-centered Christian youth theatre program who aim to support and reach the community through the medium of theatre, music, and all other performing art. We offer our students an opportunity to connect with fellow Christians with a common goal to spread the love of Christ all while working to further develop skills in music, dance and acting. We also aim to bring students closer to Christ by working together in supporting and encouraging one another. Our ultimate goal in HLA Performing Arts is to exemplify Jesus Christ in all we do as imitators of Jesus Christ.
What HLA Performing Arts offers students:
Creating connections and friendships with fellow Christ following peers.
Student learns how to work as a team and to corroborate with fellow members towards a common goal, to create a quality production.
Learn to take on responsibility with other members dependent on the student’s commitment to the team.
Developing public speaking skills and other life skills.
Developing the student’s God given gifts of music, acting, dancing, etc.
Providing a Christ honoring theatre experience in contrast to other secular community theatre programs that encourage actors to conform to the world.
THE IMPORTANCE OF CHRISTIAN THEATRE for the students… Statistics show that 70% of Christian youth will NOT return to the church regularly after high school. (Source: Lifeway research)
With these staggering numbers of students leaving the church after high school, we must act… and perhaps literally! Acting and performing gives students a sense of belonging and creates connections with fellow Christian members through their common interest. Building strong, lasting Christian relationships and bonds will give students a sense of belonging to the body of Christ and more likely to remain in the faith.
THE IMPORTANCE OF CHRISTIAN THEATRE for the community… 1 Corinthians 9:19-23; “Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some”
What better way to reach the community than through the performing arts. We as Christians should meet the people where they are. There is a huge darkness in the entertainment industry. It seems what is right is wrong and what is wrong is praised as godliness. We as Christians are called to the Great Commission, to spread the gospel and love of Christ to all peoples … what about those in our own backyard and community? As each day passes, we see the glorification of greed, pride and selfishness in our country. Let’s show the community what God-honoring theatre and entertainment looks like.
Our Team: Jerusha Miller – HLA Performing Arts Director & Music Director Jaclyn Jones – Theatre Director, Drama Arts Teacher, & Dance Director Steph Williams - Elementary Choir Director, Worship Team Leader Anna Grace Medlin - Stage Manager Keri Medlin - Team Coordinator, Assistant Stage Manager Marissa Smith - Artistic Design Assistant